Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said in his speech on Saturday evening that the world saw “how untrue Moscow’s words are,” referring to the ceasefire announced but not kept by the Russians, reports news.ro.

He noted that many soldiers were present at the service in the historic Lavra Pechersk monastery and “it is very important that a sincere prayer for Ukraine was and will be heard today in the Lavra.”

Zelenskyy said there is an “interim result” on sanctions against Russians who support the war and those who help them. “Everyone whose voice will sound in unison with the roar of Russian artillery will be isolated from the civilized world,” he emphasized.

• “Once again, I congratulate everyone who celebrates today, on this day, which has already become historic for Ukraine, for the spiritual independence of our people, with a Merry Christmas. I was happy today to see how many people, how many of our soldiers were at the service in the Pechersk Lavra – in that holy place, which is one of the origins of the Ukrainian cultural tradition. It is very important that a sincere prayer for Ukraine was heard today and will be heard in the Lavra.
• Independence of Ukraine must be strong in all its elements. So be it. Forever. We bring it ourselves. And it is very important to remain in the state of mind that was today. The joy of strengthening Ukraine and achieving historical justice. I wish all the men and women of Ukraine to have this state more often,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the beginning of his daily speech.

He noted that he signed decrees on the implementation of the decisions of the National Security Council.

• “First, we approved the general plan of the NSDC for this year. It will certainly be no less powerful than in previous years, and the key priority is to ensure our independence and strengthen our ability to defend ourselves – by taking all necessary steps, using all effective means.
• Second, we have an interim result in dealing with many Russian citizens and individuals associated with it who justify war, support it, or glorify a terrorist state.
• Today there is a first list of such sanctions – decisions on sanctions against such persons will follow. Everyone whose voices sound in unison with the roar of Russian artillery will be isolated from the civilized world,” Zelenskyy added.

Volodymyr Zelenskyi accused Russia of not ceasing fire, even though it announced a ceasefire.

• “And, by the way, today the world was once again able to see how false the words are at any level coming from Moscow. There they said something about an alleged ceasefire… But the reality is that the Russians again hit Bakhmut and other Ukrainian objects.
• It is confirmed once again: only the expulsion of the Russian occupiers from the Ukrainian land and the elimination of any possibility of Russian pressure on Ukraine and the whole of Europe will mean the restoration of the ceasefire, security and peace. Today we are one step closer to victory,” he added.

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